Clare's half-backs are proving vital both in defense and in attack 

The scoring prowess of the Limerick half-back line needs no rehashing. Less documented is how Clare's five, six and seven of Ryan, Conlon, and McInerney have begun to mirror them in their scoring contribution.

MOST IMPORTANT LINE: The Clare half-back line has become their most important not just in a defensive manner but in attack as well. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Goalkeeper Eamonn Foudy and the full-back line in front of him received most of the flak on the afternoon of Clare’s opening round malfunction in Munster.

Not since 2016 had a team leaked five goals in a Munster championship fixture. Clare, as Seamus Hickey correctly noted on co-commentary duty for GAAGO, had been the architects of their own downfall with some “nightmare” defending.